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Nick Tolford & Company

Jan 23, 2014

Nick Tolford & Company are a seven-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Columbus, Ohio. Led by Nick Tolford on vocals and Rhodes, the band also features Julian Dassai (guitar), Bobby Silver (bass), Mike O’Shaughnessy (drums), and three backup singers: Katie Gartin, Leslie Jankowski, and Cecil Moore III. A virtual who’s who of the Columbus rock scene, members of the band have played in The Slide Machine, Church of the Red Museum, El Jesus de Magico, Brainbow, and with national hip hop act Blueprint.

Formed in 2009, Nick Tolford & Company draw influence from the sounds of Stax, Motown, and Columbus’ own Capsoul Records, delivering songs that span the spectrum from sweat-soaked rock ‘n’ roll to blood-and-guts soul crooners. Passionate, energetic and upbeat, Nick Tolford & Company teeter on the edge between raw soul electricity and punk rock abandon.

Named by Paste Magazine as one of Ohio‘s “Bands to Listen To Right Now,” Nick Tolford & Company have had the privilege of opening for Booker T (of Booker T and the MGs), the Fleshtones, The Flaming Lips, The Coup, Cat Power, George Jones, Company of Thieves, Grand Funk Railroad, and The Ohio Players, among others. They have also played to enthusiastic crowds at regional festivals such as the Nelsonville Music Festival, Athens’ Blackout Fest, and have headlined the massive Comfest in Columbus. Nick Tolford & Company’s song “Until I Walk Away” has been in rotation on CD102.5 and their single “Summertime” is licensed for use in 77Kids, a division of American Eagle Outfitters.

The band has three releases under their belt: the full-length records Extraordinary Love (October 2010), Just a Kiss (January 2014), and a seven-inch record Summertime (June 2010).